Android 4.4 KitKat demystified: The most significant Android update in years

This site may earn affiliate commissions from the links on this page. Terms of use.

Google shocked everyone with the announcement a few months ago that Key Lime Pie was merely a cover name for the next version of Android as it planned the unveiling of the KitKat partnership. Although, Mountain View neglected to tell us anything of substance about the new OS at the time. Now, the Nexus 5 and Android 4.4 are official, and this is clearly the most significant update Android has seen in years. From the interface to the low-level APIs, this is going to be a big change for Android users.

Android for everyone

One of the longstanding issues with Android is that of version fragmentation. Very few of the Android devices in existence are actually running the newest version of the platform — they are spread out over three or four different builds of Android most of the time. That makes it harder for developers to design apps that will be compatible with all the devices out there. It also prevents users from experiencing the latest and greatest features from Google.

We often hear about the angst of waiting on device updates on flagship phones from the likes of Samsung and HTC, but that’s just a small part of the problem. Much of the fragmentation in Android comes from the low-end and mid-range. These phones often lack the muscle to properly run newer versions of Android at launch, so the OEMs reach back into the archives and pull out a platform that is several versions older and more suited to slower hardware. Android 4.4 is supposed to change that with “Project Svelte.”

Beginning with this release, Android will have streamlined support for devices with as little as 512MB of RAM. Google is implementing developer features like Dalvik JIT code cache tuning, kernel samepage merging, and swap to zRAM to make apps more responsive in a resource-constrained environment. Android itself will also aggressively protect memory to keep things running smoothly.

This means more inexpensive phones could launch with fully updated software and stay up to date longer. Additionally, these same low-memory features could be a boon when it comes to wearable devices like watches and Google Glass.

Sticking it to carriers with NFC

Google has been trying to make the NFC payment system known as Google Wallet work for the last few years, but carriers in the US have prevented the app from being bundled with phones. That’s a problem because Wallet has thus far always needed access to the NFC chip’s secure element. Without bundling the app with a ROM, that can’t happen.

Carriers like Verizon cite security concerns with such implementations, but the competing ISIS standard supported by most US carriers also uses the secure element. Whatever the true motivation, carriers weren’t likely to allow Wallet on their networks so long as they had a say in it. With Android 4.4, Google has taken the decision out of their hands. The new version includes Host Card Emulation (HCE) for payments, loyalty programs, and secure card access. There is no longer a requirement that secure NFC apps use a provisioned secure element at all. The Nexus 5 doesn’t even have a secure element in its NFC chip.

This means Google can — and almost certainly will — roll out a new version of Google Wallet that supports wireless payments on all KitKat phones with NFC, whether the carriers like it or not. HCE also allows Android devices to act as NFC readers for other cards, which could be very interesting for mobile commerce apps.

New UI styling

There are a few big UI changes in Android 4.4 that become evident from the moment you look at the home screen. The status and navigation bars (on devices with on-screen buttons) are transparent on the home screen. This makes for a much cleaner look, but in most apps they will revert to being black. The exception comes when apps specifically invoke the translucent system UI, which should make for some attractive interfaces.

Google has also added a new full screen mode for devices that use on-screen buttons. Previously, the closest non-video player apps could come to full-screen was to dim the system navigation buttons. Now there is true full screen support for all apps. If a developer requests full screen in an app — for example, a game or ebook reader — the content takes up the full panel. An edge gesture is used to bring back the navigation and status bar when needed.

Android 4.4 also makes Google Now more prominent on the home screen — just swipe to the left and it’s right there like an additional panel. The trigger phrase “Okay Google” should also work at all times while in the search app or on the home screen (Nexus 5 only for now). Doing a voice search from the home screen won’t boot you into the search app, either — the voice interface will instead appear as an overlay on the screen.

I think it’s only you. I like sweets :) These references are pleasant and they sound good :)

Jason

That’s android, it would be like asking if Apple fans are sick of cats. At this point its part of the culture. Personally I like it, but each to his or her own.

sexnando

well… they don’t use cats anymore.

now it’s california places or somethinh. (mavericks)

lolwut

Yes, you’re the only one

fs

Since most of us care more for the content of the update than its name or version number….YES!

Michael T. Babcock

Probably; and that’s the whole point of the Android version names. They’re alphabetically sorted in order and names of sweet treats.

Singh1699

Hmm unless note 3 picks up, I’m selling and getting nexus. Touchwiz is okay but stock seems to be snappier, sharper and not have the hassle of two app stores. I’d love to see how much faster stock is though.